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| Q: | What is the difference between WELS and ELS? And Where did the WELS come from? Since the LUTHERan reformation took place in Germany oh so many years ago? Why aren't we a German based Synod, our HQ in Germany? And is the ELS the same in doctrine as us? If so why don't they amalgamate with WELS? | ||||||
| A: | WELS and the ELS agree in doctrine and are in fellowship with each other. There is no strong desire or plans to amalgamate the two synods, for no strong benefits to doing so have been identified. There is a perceived advantage to have sister synods that can each encourage the other while at the same time maintain distinctive cherished parts of their histories. The difference between the synods is their historical development. WELS was founded by German immigrants and retained the German language as its primary language for many years. The earliest missionaries/pastors who served us were primarily from German mission societies. The synod officially dates back to 1850. The ELS was established by a faithful remnant of the Norwegian Synod which refused to enter into a merger of Norwegian synods that was based on doctrinal compromise in the early 1900s. The main body of the Norwegian Synod eventually became part of the ELCA. The ELS, which was sometimes called "the little Norwegian Synod," was a member of the Synodical Conference along with WELS and the Missouri Synod. Like WELS, the ELS ended its fellowship with Missouri as a result of the doctrinal changes in the Missouri Synod. | ||||||
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